Read Online One Night with the Doctor by Cindy Kirk - Free Book Online Page A

not sure of proper protocol.” She gestured with her hand in the direction of the front of the house. “Should I have slipped silently out the door? Left a note on the pillow, thanking you for a night of great sex? Or...?”
    “Running off is always poor manners.” Ben placed his cup on the counter then pulled out a frying pan. After setting it on the burner, he moved to the refrigerator for the bacon and eggs. “Proper protocol mandates you drink your coffee while I make us breakfast.”
    When she hesitated, he shot her a wink. “Doctor’s orders.”
    Poppy rolled her emerald eyes. But when she settled into the chair and made an appreciative sound at the taste of the coffee, Ben let himself relax.
    With well-practiced ease, he added butter to the pan, cracked the eggs then shifted his attention to the bacon. But his mind remained focused on the brunette in his kitchen.
    Though one-night stands by their nature came with a built-in ending, in Ben’s mind, last night had been a beginning. He wasn’t ready to let Poppy simply walk out of his life.
    Though he knew she’d vehemently deny it, there was a link between them. He wasn’t sure where that connection came from or where it might lead, but he was open to exploring possibilities.
    Poppy took another long sip of coffee then cocked her head. “Do you always make a big breakfast for your...guests?”
    There was no way Ben was getting into a discussion of the previous women in his life. Adroitly, he sidestepped the question. “Big breakfasts are for weekends.”
    “Then you don’t eat like this—” she gestured with one hand toward the plates he was heaping with food “—every day?”
    “Hardly.” Ben chuckled. “During the week, I usually have a protein shake chased by a cup of very strong coffee.”
    Poppy tried to keep a poker face even as a chill traveled up her spine.
    In her experience, most successful surgeons were self-disciplined to a fault. Very focused on getting what they wanted. Used to getting what they wanted with little regard for anyone, or anything, else. That was why it was imperative she keep Ben at arm’s length.
    Too late, Poppy thought, laughter bubbling up. She’d hardly kept Ben at arm’s length last night.
    “Something funny?” He placed the plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of her before taking a seat.
    “I was thinking of last night.”
    His fork stopped short of his mouth. “Last night was humorous?”
    “No,” she said quickly, but couldn’t stop the smile forming on her lips. “Well, other than that thing you did with—”
    “Favorite of mine, too.” His unexpected grin made her heart thump.
    Then he lowered his head and kissed her softly on the mouth. It only took one taste for her to forget the need for restraint. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave into the sensations sweeping through her body like an out-of-control wildfire. He was the one who finally drew back with a shaky laugh.
    As they ate, Poppy kept the conversation deliberately light. Yet, even as they chatted easily, something hovered in the air between them, something she didn’t want to examine too closely. Last night had exceeded her expectations. Unfortunately, instead of satisfying her, she yearned for more.
    The idea of a repeat performance, as enticing as it was, sent little red flags popping up.
    Poppy wished she could convince herself that as long as they kept whatever this was between them just about sex, it wouldn’t hurt to see Ben again. But the intense heat that even a simple kiss could spark warned their relationship might not stay light and fun for long. There was a reason a one-night stand lasted only one night.
    “That was an excellent breakfast,” she said when he rose to clear the dishes. “Following a most excellent, er, superb night.”
    She stood, bent to give Groucho one quick scratch behind the ears before straightening. “I need to run. I’m sure our paths will cross again. Jackson Hole isn’t that